NBA Player News

Bitadze posted six points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks across 16 minutes in Saturday's 126-118 preseason win over the Heat.

Bitadze grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and knocked down a rare three-pointer. The 26-year-old center is likely to back up Wendell Carter to open this season, as Moritz Wagner is still recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in December 2024 and isn't guaranteed to return by Opening Night.

Claxton posted 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and eight rebounds across 15 minutes in Saturday's 123-88 exhibition game win over Hapoel Jerusalem.

Claxton nearly secured a double-double in limited playing time during the team's preseason opener, and he was one of four Nets players to score in double figures. The 26-year-old big man recorded 13 double-doubles in 70 regular-season appearances (62 starts) last season, during which he averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks across 26.9 minutes per contest.

Jokic contributed 14 points (4-5 FG, 6-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 19 minutes in Saturday's 126-116 preseason loss to the Timberwolves.

Jokic led Denver in rebounds and tied the team high in points during a near-perfect performance from the field. The three-time MVP has finished in the top two of MVP voting in five consecutive seasons and is coming off arguably the best campaign of his career. Over 70 regular-season appearances in the 2024-25 season, the 30-year-old big man averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 2.0 three-pointers and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 57.6 percent from the field and a career-high 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Ware recorded 10 points (4-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and a steal across 18 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 126-118 preseason loss to the Magic.

Ware didn't start this game, but he outperformed Bam Adebayo, who posted seven points while missing each of his five shots from the field (0-5 FG, 7-8 FT). Ware isn't going to replace Adebayo in the starting lineup any time soon, but a couple more strong showings in the preseason could boost his case for a starting nod once the regular season begins in late October.

Reid is in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Nuggets.

The Timberwolves will be resting some of their regular starters, and with Julius Randle (rest) among those out, Reid will get the nod at power forward. Reid is no stranger to being part of the first unit, though. He averaged 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in 17 regular-season starts during the 2024-25 campaign.

Ware is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Heat will go with Bam Adebayo at center for this preseason tune-up in Puerto Rico, and the rest of the lineup will feature Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez. Ware is reportedly fighting for a starting spot ahead of the Oct. 22 season opener against Orlando.

Jackson-Davis (thumb) is questionable to play in Sunday's game against the Lakers, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Jackson-Davis is dealing with a thumb injury, which could sideline him for the team's first preseason game. However, he does claim to be okay, but his status will remain uncertain moving forward. If he does miss Sunday's game, his next chance to suit up in the preseason will be Oct. 8 against the Trail Blazers.

Robinson finished with six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 FT) and eight rebounds across 13 minutes during Saturday's 113-104 win over the 76ers.

Robinson continues to crash the glass during his limited time on the floor in Abu Dhabi. He's now racked up 24 rebounds across the first two games of the preseason, proving he's healthy and ready to make an impact in the frontcourt during the 2025-26 campaign.

Towns tallied six points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist across 17 minutes during Saturday's 113-104 win over the 76ers.

Towns couldn't get going offensively during the team's second straight preseason game against Philadelphia in Abu Dhabi, shooting 25 percent from the field. However, he and the majority of New York's starters played limited minutes yet again. Towns and company will now get some rest before heading back to Madison Square Garden to take on the Timberwolves on Oct. 9.

Embiid (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Knicks, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Embiid continues to recover from knee surgery that cut his 2024-25 campaign short. There's no clear timetable for his return to the floor. The next chance for him to return will be Oct. 10 against the Magic.